The Obesity Effect On Health

Most of us are chocolate lovers and enjoy indulging in a desert after a good meal. We try to limit the intake of sugar and foods that contain fat but struggle to resist the urge. Although sweets and pizza may taste good and leave a smile on our face, it may lead to obesity.

Studies have shown that more than 60% of Americans are obese but there are various ways to combat rapid weight gain which include leading a healthier lifestyle, exercise and taking natural weight loss supplements. To find out more about which supplements you should be taking, read these reviews from Research and You.

What Is Obesity?

Obesity is a disorder which involves an excessive amount of body fat. The disorder increases the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as heart disease. When you are obese, it is common to experience health problems that are related to your health.

Your health problems can be alleviated or prevented when you lose a moderate amount of weight. Ways to combat obesity include increasing your daily activity such as walking around the block, switching your diet to a healthy alternative, as well as prescribed medications.

What Are The Symptoms?

If your body mass index is 30 or higher then you are considered to be obese. To calculate your body mass index, divide your weight in pounds (lb) by your height in inches (In) squared and multiply that by 703.

Body Mass Index Weigh

30.0 – 34.9 Obese (Class I)

35.0 – 39.0 Obese (Class II)

40.0 and higher Extreme obesity (Class III)

What Causes Obesity?

Several reasons are the cause of obesity such as genetics and hormonal changes, but the main reason is that individuals are consuming more calories than they are burning. Since the calories are not used, the body stores it as fat.

The main causes of obesity are:

Bad diet – most Americans consume a tremendous amount of calories, found in the fast foods and sugary beverages they buy. Since they get little or no exercise, the calories are not burnt, thus, are stored as fat.

Lack of activity - when you are inactive, you do not burn as many calories as you should to prevent obesity. The risk of obesity is increased with excessive sitting and avoiding exercise.

Health Risks

Heart disease and stroke

When you are carrying around extra weight, you are prone to high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. These conditions may lead to heart disease or stroke. By losing weight, you significantly reduce the risk of getting these conditions.

Type 2 Diabetes

Most individuals who have type 2 diabetes are either overweight or obese. To reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you should follow a healthy diet, exercise plan and sleep schedule. By becoming more active, you lose weight, which helps you to control your blood sugar levels.

Gallbladder Disease

This disease, as well as gallstones, are most commonly found in individuals who are obese. The ironic thing is that by losing excessive weight rapidly, you expose yourself to the risk of developing more gallstones. The best way to avoid gallstones is to lose moderate weight weekly.

Cancer

Studies have indicated that obesity can trigger cancers found in the breast, kidney, colon and esophagus. Furthermore, it has been evidenced that obesity can lead to cancer in pancreas and ovaries.

Other conditions that individuals who are obese have experienced include breathing disorders, metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, infertility, irregular periods, osteoarthritis and sleep disorders.

How To Prevent Obesity

Healthy diet

Your diet should consist of foods that have low calories such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Do not consume foods that contain sugar or saturated fat. Your alcohol intake should be limited as well.

Exercise

Health experts have advised that you should be doing roughly 300 minutes of physical activity a week, which will enable you to burn the calories. You can opt for exercise such as mountain biking, jogging, tennis and walking.

Check your weight

You cannot improve what you do not track, and this applies to weight loss. If you weigh yourself at least once a week, you are aware of your weight and are more likely to take action towards weight loss. By regularly monitoring your weight, you get an indication if your diet and your physical activity, are working.

Make sure you are consistent

To avoid obesity, it is not enough to follow the diet or exercise plan for a week or just a month. You need to stick with it for a protracted period, preferably for life.

It’s all about health! I have academic background in drugs related Chemical Technology, as well as extensive professional experience in pharma and medical companies. My main area of interest is everyday life medicine. The goal of my articles is to give people informative answers to the questions that bother them, to dispel doubts and some common misbeliefs and also to inspire everyone to keep healthy lifestyle.